Hundreds of employees and contractors at De Beers’ Venetia Mine have had their head shaved or hair sprayed to collect cash for the fight against cancer.
Hundreds of employees and contractors at De Beers’ Venetia Mine have had their head shaved or hair sprayed to collect cash for the fight against cancer.
The 773 volunteers raised a total of R23,194 (US$1,432) during the annual CANSA Shavathon, and that was matched by De Beers. Now a cheque for the resulting R46,388 (US$2,864), well up on last year’s R28,770 (US$1,777), has been handed over to the Cancer Association of South Africa in Polokwane, capital of the Limpopo Province, which is the nearest branch to the Venetia Mine.
This year’s total takes the amount raised for CANSA since 2014, when the mine started supporting the CANSA campaign, to more than R85,000 (US$5,250).
The money will be used to help fund mobile cancer testing units serving rural areas of Limpopo as well as cancer education and awareness in the area.
The shaving and spraying were done by the mine’s volunteer ‘diamond ambassadors’. Some had their hair sprayed in stripes or shapes, using stencils.
Susan Nortje, Senior Project Planner at Venetia Mine and a passionate cancer survivor who lost both her parents to the disease, thanked CANSA for its exceptional work, particularly in helping people without access to medical aid.
Venetia Corporate Affairs Manager Josephine Pieters thanked employee volunteers for their passion and energy and praised CANSA, adding: “We look forward to seeing how the funds raised by our diamond ambassadors at Venetia Mine will make a difference in our labour-sending areas of Musina and Blouberg.”